Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-08-29

man. All the distinction he won was due
to native ability and hard, paipstaking
labor, into which the largest entering ele-
ment was that of public spirit and philan-
thropy. If he had served himself one half
as well as he served his fellow-men he
would have died rich instead of poor. He
has left behind him legacy, however,
which will keep his family in comfort, if
the appreciative men, the horticulturists
and viticulturists especially, will but make
1t available to those who were dependent
upon him. We refer to his admirable
work, entitled, Injurious Insects of the
Orchard, Vineyard, Field, Garden, Con-
servatory, Household, Storehouse, Domes-
tic Animals, Etc, with Remedies for Their
determination. published by H. s. Crocker
e. Co., Sacramento. The volume is now
nearly free from the cost of publication,
and future sales, which should be large.
will yield return to his widow.
Mr.. Cooke was born February 16, 1899. at
Bushmills, County Antrim, Ireland He
had q fair common school education He
early inclined to contemplation of mechan-
les aud the practical sciences. Natural
history was to him a delightful study, but
to pursue it satisfactorily was not his for
tune until he had far advanced in mans
estate. AS youth he engaged in the Public
WORKS Department, became First Assistant
Baronial, and later Baronial, or Superin-
tendeDt of Works. He came to the United
States in April, 1850, and to California in
October, 1862, locating in Sacramento. He
engaged in manufacturing and invention.
and after time of service in the Water
Worzs opened in 1875 fruit-box and berry,
bask 4 and chest mandatory. The bus
mess being injured by insect pest assaults
upon fruits and vines, selfinterest as well
q q G ti,ral fnnlin.tinY, lad -
natu cal history of these insects and to de-
wise means for resisting them. His study
was Intense, persistent and fortified by
mont Tbs OF observation, day and night, in
field, orchard, vineyard and laboratory. He
took chronological science as a study, and
CRASHED it with marvellous rapidty. He
soon had at command the largest fund of
praci cal information on the subject of any
man in the State, and had an unsurpassed
splendid collection. confined mainly, how
ever to pests injurious to tree, vine and
fiowf. AS he made his discover
les he freely gave them to the
pubic through the columns of
the RECORD UNION and of the agricult.
ural and horticultural press of the State
together with remedies for the pests. He
never dreamed at that time of making the
results Of his researches matters of profit
further than to protect the mechanical
business in which he was then engaged.
His papers attracted universal attention. and
the whole State stood watching his work
with nervous interest. At the end of three
years, undisturbed by doubters and the
opposition of ignorance of natural laws
he issued an address to fruit-growers and
distributed the pamphlet far and wide at his
own &C st. His warnings were we'll +. ceiyed,
aud the demand for further information
from him so great that seven months later
he issued second pamphlet, greatly en-
iarged and containing an epitome OF all
his discoveries. Ten thousand comics of
this Natural History of the Goblin Moth"
were sent to applicants without charge. AS
a result, his correspondence far exceeded
his physical capacity to handle In 1881
the State took up the matter, and passed
laws in accordance with his suggestions to
protect horticulture. and enforce reguIa-
tons to check the spreading of the fruit
pests. In April, 1881, he was elected Chief
Executive Horticultural Officer of Cali
fornia, an office he filled with capacity, and
such energy as to awaken considerable op
position on the part of the narrow minded
and short-sighted and those who held that
every man on his own land had the right
to breed insect pests if he chose.
He was reelected to the position in july.
1882. He lectured throughout the State in
response TO invitations, illustrating with
diagrams and stereopticon views, prepared
at his own EXPENSE heavy outlay. In
October, 1881, he issued his treatise on
" Insects Injurious to Fruit Trees" and the /
State printed 800 copies of it in first
edition, and soon after 900 copies more.
In 1888 he issued the more elaborate work
first noted, and illustrated it with over $50
woodcuts and % pages of classified illus
frat ions In, L IL
Convention of fruit-growers, which he
called and there was then formed the
nucleus out of which have grown all SUBJ |
sequent united efforts by fruit growers in |
California. At the State and District Fairs |
MIR. Cooke delighted to exhibit his fine en- |
collection under microscopes,
and to remain day and evening explaining |
it to the people, and giving advice freely |
how to do battle against fruit pests. He |
was so impressed with the need for general |
diffusion of practical chronological kncwl- |
edge that he spent much time in instruct. |
ing youths, and IN Sacramento organized a |
band of them into an Institute for the sole |
purpose of studying economic entomology.
in answering calls from all over the State !
TO examine orchards and vineyards, he |
neglected his business, and finally it failed |
on his hands. Professor Hilgard, of the |
State University, speaking of Mr.. Cookies |
contributions to human knowledge, said |
:" He is about the only chronological |
writer ! ever knew who has not bad to |
take back one single word of all he has |
written" Professor Jolly. the eminent |
French scientist, not only inaorses Mr.. |
Cookies volume, but has urged the French |
Government to embody it in similar work !
for its people, because by reason of its sim
plicity and clearness all can understand it. |
His works and his books received also the |
Endorsement of such distinguished men as /
Professor Ccmstock, of Cornell and at one |
time United States Entomologist, and Pro- |
lessor G. V. Riley, Entomologist of the |
Department of Agriculture at Washington. |
and others. The study, experiments, |
writings and personal labors of Matthew
Cooke were of Unreasonable benefit to the /
State of California, and especially to the
lorticulturists and viticulturists. and more
han other influences have enlarged public